Jamaican spice bun also called Easter bun, since “bun” is very popular around Easter time. However, it is enjoyed all year round in Jamaica. For that reason, I decided to go ahead and share with you my recipe.
Other holiday favorites are Jamaican Sweet Potato Pudding, Jamaican Fruit Cake and Jamaican Cornmeal Pudding, which are all easy to make at home.
Jamaican Spice Bun
I can remember enjoying bun and cheese for the Easter holiday as a child. We ate popular brands like HTB Jamaican Spice Bun and Jamaica National. Honestly, we never thought of making it at home.
Why Do Jamaicans Eat Bun And Cheese For Easter?
Eating bun and cheese for Easter is a unique Jamaican tradition that has been handed down from one generation to the next.
The Jamaican bun is an adapted version of the hot cross bun, which was introduced by the British. Hot cross buns go way back to the ancient Babylonian pagan empire.
As time went by, Jamaicans modified the hot cross bun by changing the shape from round to rectangular shape and also removing the cross that was on top of the traditional hot cross bun.
They substituted the honey for molasses that were popularly found on sugar plantations, hence the spiced bun has a darker tone.
They also added dried fruits and served the bun with sliced cheese as a sandwich. Some recipes even have Guinness stout added.
Is Jamaican Easter Bun Vegan?
Traditional Jamaican bun recipes are made with eggs, and sometimes butter, but my addictive Jamaican bun recipe is dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free.
Jamaican Bun Ingredients
- Gluten-Free Flour
- Sugar
- Ground Flaxseeds
- Baking Powder
- Spices
- Salt
- Almond Milk
- Sunflower Oil
- Molasses
- Vanilla
- Dried Fruits
How Do You Make Jamaican Easter Bun?
Some of the Jamaican spice bun recipes are made with yeast, but mine is made with baking powder.
- Preheat oven 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking pan with parchment paper and lightly spray, set aside.
- Place all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix, gluten-free all-purpose flour, sugar, ground flaxseeds, baking powder, spices, salt. For the gluten-free flour, I used Krusteaz All-Purpose Gluten-Free flour.
- Combine almond milk, sunflower oil, vanilla in a bowl and mix well.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix to form a batter. Fold the dried fruits into the batter. Scoop batter into baking pan.
- Bake in the center of the oven for 60-75 minutes or until a fork inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Transfer baking pan onto a cooling rack, meanwhile, prepare the glaze. Spread the glaze on the warm spiced bun. Remove the bun from the pan and allow to cool completely. Delicious served with my Vegan Cheddar Cheese.
How To Glaze Jamaican Easter Bun?
- The trick to moist Easter bun is to glaze it as soon as it comes out of the oven.
- This will seal the outer layer and keep the bun moist. Make a simple syrup recipe by combining equal parts of sugar and water in a saucepan.
- Bring to a boil on medium heat while stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and brush on your Easter Bun.
Other Jamaican Recipes To Try:
- Vegan Jamaican Rice And Peas
- Jamaican Sorrel
- Jamaican Callaloo
- Steamed Cabbage
- Vegan Ackee
- Jerk Sauce
- Jamaican Lentil Patties
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Categories
- Categories: Gluten-Free, Vegan
- Course: Dessert
- Cuisine: Jamaican
Nutrition
(Per serving)- Energy: 442 kcal / 1848 kJ
- Fat: 17 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Carbs: 70 g
Cook Time
- Preparation: 15 min
- Cooking: 1 h 15 min
- Ready in: 1 h 30 min
- For: 8 Servings
Ingredients
Spice Bun
- 2 cups all purpose gluten-free flour
- 1 cup organic cane sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseeds
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup sunflower oil
- 3 tablespoons molasses
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups dried fruits, raisins, cherries, cranberries etc
Simple Syrup
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons organic cane sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking pan with parchment paper and lightly spray, set aside.
- Place all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix, gluten-free all-purpose flour, sugar, ground flaxseeds, baking powder, spices, salt. For the gluten-free flour, I used Krusteaz All-Purpose Gluten-Free flour.
- Combine almond milk, sunflower oil, vanilla in a bowl and mix well. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix to form a batter. Fold the dried fruits into the batter. Scoop batter into baking pan.
- Bake in the center of the oven for 60-75 minutes or until a fork inserted in the middle comes out clean. Transfer baking pan onto a cooling rack, meanwhile, prepare the glaze.
- Spread the glaze on the warm spiced bun. Remove the bun from the pan and allow to cool completely. Delicious served with my Vegan Cheddar Cheese.
For The Glaze
- Combine sugar and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil on medium heat while stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and brush on your Easter Bun.
Will definitely try some of your recipes as there are healthy ingredients used
Thank you very much Sef, I hope you enjoy!
WOW! I just made this and my kids and I LOVED it! I will be making this again for sure! I didn’t do the sugar glaze on top. It came out perfect! Thank you! I am really enjoying your recipes!
🇯🇲 Thank you! I won’t miss out this year. 🇯🇲
Jackie, I’m so excited for you, I hope you enjoy it! I’m getting reading to make 2 for the weekend.
This looks so good, but don’t have all these ingredients. Could cane sugar be subbed with demerara? Anything I could use in place of molasses?
Thank you.
Tricia, thank you, yes cane sugar is fine, maple syrup can be used in place of molasses.
Hi Michelle does the flaxseed need to mixed with water first or can it go straight in with the other ingredients?
Many thanks,
Emilia, that’s a great question. For most recipes, I do mix it with the liquid ingredients first in a bowl and let the mixture sit while I measure my dry ingredients in another bowl. Then combine both wet and dry ingredients. Somehow with this recipe, I didn’t. The final recipe comes out with the exact moist texture as with traditional bun recipes. I really don’t know or believe that it will make a difference.
This is so good thank you for sharing my whole family are raving about it!!
Erica that’s so wonderful, I’m happy everyone enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing your feedback.
I agree with the below comments that this recipe is AMAZING! Made this today and my husband and I loved it. How should I store the bun?
I left mine out on the counter because it didn’t last long. So up to 3 days on the counter is fine. Place in a freezer container and store in the freezer for longer. I suggest you cut into slices first.
Absolutely loved this recipe! We finished this bun in two days flat (it’s THAT good) and it’s such a fantastic recipe. I didn’t realise how easy it was to make at home, and now that I do, it’ll be a monthly treat and I am never buying Storebought bun again – this is 10x better than storebought! This one is moist (the perfect texture) delicious and that glaze is fantastic!! My husband loved it so much that he spoke about it non stop for the last two days! Thanks so much Michelle!
Jessica, that is awesome. I’m so happy you and your hubby enjoyed it. Thank you very much for sharing your feedback.
Thank you so much for posting this recipe, it is super moist and has such a great flavour. It is definitely a keeper.
You are welcome Kim, I’m so happy you enjoy it! Thank you for sharing your feedback.
Absolutely the best spiced bread ever. Stays moist, delicious.
Love this recipe. I’ve actually made several of your recipes and love them all. Thank you for providing vegan Jamaican recipes
Stacey, thank you, I really appreciate your feedback. I’m so happy you enjoy my recipes.
can’t wait to try it. was lookinh for this recipe a long time now
I hope you enjoy, thank you.